Category: Gynecology

STI vs. UTI and what is the difference between their symptoms is quite a common dilemma. There are some symptoms similar to both a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), so sometimes it may be difficult to to discern which type of infection your symptoms represent. What follows may help you to spot the difference quickly and take action.

Many women living with endometriosis do not even realize that they have it. Sexual health can be a bit of a touchy topic that leaves many women feeling embarrassed about their body, but there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, and speaking up will only help to improve both the quality and longevity of your life.

I am terribly sorry that the comment may seem unsympathetic, but it was taken out of context during the edit of the interview which took well over half hour. The editors took out majority of the scientific and informative discussions and only chose a phrase presented out of context to portray a sense of lack of empathy within the medical community. I assure all of you that I take every concern my patients may have to heart and take them seriously. I believe that women have an uncanny ability to suspect problems in their bodies and over the years have come to trust that intuition. Having said that, my heart goes out to those who have experienced any wrong doing. I can only speak of my experience with my own patients and those of my colleagues with whom I have a close professional relationship. Essure in my experience has been one of the safest procedures and our patients are happy with the outcome. That is not to say that it is risk free. Everything we do in medicine carries a baseline risk. But we only recommend it if the benefits out way the risks. With regard to any complications, each case has to be evaluated individually. Placement of these devices, the way the procedure is performed, and choosing the right candidates, and proper follow ups play a significant role in the out come of this or any medical procedure. We cannot make a blank statement that it must be the device causing every problem in the book. “You have to take things with a grain of salt.” If someone is suffering from an ensuing infection after the procedure, it most probably is due to failure in following established aseptic techniques during the operation. This is a common concern with any procedure. The alloy used in making this device has been used in medicine for years. You find them in heart valve replacements and have been used in heart catheters around the world. It was not invented for this device. If a patient has an allergic reaction to the implants, it is not the device that we should pull off the market, it is the physician’s clinical judgment that we have to question.

The first trimester of your pregnancy comes with a lot of emotions; happiness, nausea, nerves and, for most women, extreme exhaustion. Here are five ways to beat that exhaustion and enjoy your first trimester!

1. Take Naps

Taking a nap may seem like a luxury after a certain age, but it’s important when you’re in your first trimester. A few extra minutes a day can make everyday tasks easier and less tiring. Don’t take lengthy naps or you will get most likely wake up more exhausted.

2. Load up on iron and protein

Consuming a good amount of iron and protein are important to a healthy pregnancy for many reasons. Not only will it give your baby the nutrients he or she need to grow healthy, but eating spinach, eggs, beans and meats will give you more energy throughout the day.

3. Stay Hydrated

Being dehydrated can increase your fatigue. Avoid caffeinated drinks and sugary drinks because they actually dehydrate you more.

4. Stay Active and Exercise

Push through the fatigue when possible and get some light exercise. Exercising increases your circulation and improves oxygen intake, both of which help with feeling fatigued.

5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

In order to get that extra 20 minutes of sleep, you may need to ask your partner, parents, friends or family for help with everyday tasks. Getting help with every day tasks can save your energy for when you really need it.

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, affects more than five million women in the United States. If you suffer from onset adult acne, are having trouble getting pregnant or if your hair is beginning to fall out, you may have PCOS.

What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a group of symptoms that occur from a hormonal imbalance. Often times, it causes women to produce more male hormones than normal. It often causes women to have one of three conditions:

Limited ovulation

An increase in androgen levels

Fluid-filled cysts on ovaries

Symptoms of PCOS

PCOS symptoms often start mild and can vary from woman to woman. Common symptoms include:

Cysts on the ovaries

Acne

Excessive weight gain or trouble losing weight

Extra hair on the face and body. The hair is usually thicker and darker than normal.

Irregular menstruation. Some women have only a few periods a year, while others don’t have periods.

Infertility . Due to abnormal menstruation, a lot of women don’t ovulate.

Depression or mood swings

Pelvic Pain

Skin tags

Treatment for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

There is no cure for PCOS, but there are treatment options that can lessen the symptoms.

Modifying your lifestyle by limiting processing foods and adding more whole grain foods can help lower blood glucose levels and balance hormone levels. Medications, such as birth control pills, diabetes medications, fertility medications and medicine for increased hair growth can also help reduce the symptoms.

Most women experience postpartum depression after having a baby, and it is considered a normal part of early motherhood.

Postpartum depression, or PPD, is a serious condition that can occur in the first few months after childbirth. It’s often brought on by changes in hormone levels, but other issues can increase the chance of women getting postpartum including:

Having a history of depression

Poor support from your partner, friends or family

Increased amount of stress in your life

Having a sick or colicky baby

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

Though the severity of symptoms depends on the woman, the most common symptoms of postpartum depression include:

Feeling sad a majority of the time

Changes in sleep patterns

Loss of energy and motivation to do everyday tasks

Drastic changes in appetite

Showing little interest in your baby

Treating Postpartum Depression

Treating postpartum depression is similar to treating other kinds of depression. Talk therapy and medications are the most common treatment options, but there are also ways women experiencing postpartum depression can heal themselves.

Finding people to help with child care, taking time for yourself and being honest with how much you can do in a day is important to enjoying the first few months of being a mother.

Consult your physician today if you feel you may have postpartum depression.

Going to the gynecologist isn’t something women eagerly anticipate. The anxiety and discomfort women feel is increased when it’s their first annual exam. There are a few things to keep in mind before having your first annual exam.

Who should I prepare for my exam?

The most important thing to do before your first gynecological exam is research. Women should be prepared to discuss their family medical history and be ready for questions about their menstrual cycle. Some of the most commonly asked questions your provider may ask include:

When was your last period?

How long does your period typically last?

What age did you start your period?

Are you sexually active?

What should I expect for my annual exam?

The pelvic exam only lasts a few minutes and the exam itself doesn’t hurt. Most physicians will explain the process before beginning the exam, asking questions throughout the process is encouraged. The pelvic exam consists of the following steps:

Your doctor will typically begin the annual exam with a breast exam to check for lumps that may be a sign of cancer.

Your physician will then check the external genital area for irritations, cysts or other problems.

Next, the physician will insert a speculum, which is an instrument that is used to examine the cervix and vaginal walls. During this time, the doctor will also conduct a pap smear to check for cancerous and pre-cancerous cells.

The last step in the physical exam is for the physician to check the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries by inserting gloved fingers into the vagina and pressing on the abdomen.

Not only does the annual exam ensure that you maintain good gynecological health, but it is also an opportunity for you to catch health problems in the early stages.

There are many different complications with heavy menstrual bleeding that you may not have even thought of. For example, many women who have a condition that causes heavy bleeding could suffer from anemia and iron deficiency, which can be dangerous to their health. If you think you have a problem with heavy bleeding, you will need to contact your doctor and discuss your condition as well as your treatment options. Remember that anytime you are dealing with your health, you should have your questions answered before you decide on any treatment option.

To help you get started, here are important questions you should ask your doctor. You may have more questions that you would like ask, but this is a good place to start.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Is my level of bleeding categorized as abnormally heavy? Not all cases of heavier than normal bleeding would be considered clinically heavy. Your doctor can help you decide if you have a condition.

How do I know if I have low iron because of my bleeding? A blood test will most likely be conducted and then your doctor will give you suggestions for an iron replacement therapy.

Can you go over my treatment options and tell me the advantages, disadvantages, and risks of each? In some cases, you will have choices and you will want to understand each of those choices before you make a decision.

How will you go about diagnosing my condition? Your doctor should discuss testing procedures and what you will need to go through in order to determine the cause of your bleeding.

In severe cases, like endometriosis, is hysterectomy my only option? Surgery could be the best option for you so that you do not have to continue suffering, but you may wish to explore other options before you choose this measure.

If I should consider endometrial ablation, can you tell me more about the success rates and complications of this treatment? This surgical procedure has numerous uses and it could be the right one for you, but you need to know more about it.

Will you be able to treat my condition or will I be referred to a specialist? There are some cases when a specialist will be called in and you may need to determine what specialist you will like to see.

What are the success rates of the treatment we have chosen for my bleeding? Some treatments may not be as successful and you will want to take this into consideration before choosing one particular treatment over another.

Heavy menstrual bleeding is a common condition that affects many women for various reasons. You will need to go to a doctor in order to determine what condition from which you are suffering. Be sure to get all of your questions answered so that you can choose the best treatment option to suit your needs. Do not be afraid to ask any questions you may have no matter how small they may seem.